Today, the younger generation is always on their phones. Many popular social media websites can totally replace human interactions. You can even use online platforms like writer24.com for your homework assignments. Students often get their news from social media posts, look for new friends, or share the details of their lives.
There is no way around it, as even colleges and potential employers can check out your social media accounts. For graduates, this can be a double-edged sword. You can put out only useful content and seem fake to your college admission officers. Or you can show your real life in posts and seem too authentic.
There is no shame in trying to create your own personal brand online. In this article, we will consider the pros and cons of using social media in the college admission process.
The Pros
First, let’s take a look at why using Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook can be beneficial for young college applicants. You can’t really avoid being online in today’s day and age. So, it’s always a good idea to turn it around and put a positive spin on it.
You Can Demonstrate Your Talents and Accomplishments
Using an online platform is a great way to show something great about yourself to the admission officers. It doesn’t have to be all promotional, like a sale at a store. Instead, try to do this as organically as possible. Here are some ideas on what to put in your posts:
- Your extracurricular activities;
- Your past awards;
- Your personal accomplishments;
- Academic interests and research experience.
You Can Connect With Other Applicants, Older Students, or Faculty
Reaching out to other people is exactly what social media is all about. But instead of chatting about nothing, you can ask questions about your future college or university. For example, find some graduates with experience in the application process. You can also find an official page of your school and follow all the news and developments in this process.
You Can Create Your Personal Brand
This is a great way to take charge of your online appearances. For example, if you have a lot of followers, you can create campaigns or advocate for good causes. This way, graduates will stand out from the crowd and show that their image goes beyond academic achievements. Admission officers see lots of profiles every day, so you need to show something authentic!
The Cons
Now, let’s take a look at some of the reasons for becoming more reserved online. You need to remember that admission officers are people with their own interests and convictions. So, it’s likely that they might not like what they see on your profile.
Your Posts Could Be Misinterpreted
So, as it was already mentioned, every person could have their own opinions. Admission officers are just as susceptible to bias as anyone else. For this reason, try not to put out any content that can be potentially seen as offensive. If you are not sure whether to post it – definitely don’t do it!
Your Privacy Is at Stake
The availability of the internet has changed how we see privacy and confidentiality. It’s fine to post something every once in a while. But if you share everything online, you expose yourself to scrutiny from anyone. You might even accidentally share something that won’t help your admission process at all. It’s not really worth losing all your security and privacy!
You Could Become a Victim of Cyberbullying
Unfortunately, the world isn’t perfect. Cyberbullying is a reality for many people, especially young students. You need to understand that this is a pretty real possibility if you are active on the internet. Luckily, school administration and cyber police are trained to deal with such cases.
You Could Become Obsessed With Your Online Image Instead of Being Authentic
Some students might believe they have higher chances of gaining admission to college by carefully curating their online image. However, it’s crucial to remember that this carefully crafted online persona may not accurately reflect who you truly are. In the quest for a flawless online image, one can easily fall into the trap of spending an excessive amount of time on social media, which can be a significant time sink. It’s important not to devote all of your free time to this pursuit, as it may not ultimately benefit the college admissions process. Additionally, once you do gain admission to college, the preoccupation with your online life could potentially divert your attention away from the learning process. Therefore, it’s essential to strike a balance and not let your online presence overshadow your academic and personal growth. This essay review emphasizes the significance of maintaining a healthy balance between your online and offline life during the college admissions process.
Tips for Using Social Media for College Admissions
Social media can definitely be a valuable tool for your application process. Of course, it’s very important to use it wisely. Here are some valuable tips for you that might guide you in this process:
- Pay attention to what you post. Anything you post on social media is fair game for admissions officers to see. You don’t want to put out something that can be misunderstood!
- Try to highlight your positive qualities. The competition for college enrollment is insane, so your profile has to be all about promoting your accomplishments and positive sides.
- Don’t fall susceptible to cyberbullying. Sure, it’s easier said than done. But there are some precautions that you could take, like using strong passwords or being careful about who you connect with.
- Be careful about how much time you spend online. Once you enroll in college, you must focus on studying more than posting. It’s very important to find that balance between your studies, social life, and hobbies.
- Use this tool to your advantage. There is a delicate balance between strengthening your chances of admission and wasting your time.
With the help of these tips, you can turn your online presence into a competitive advantage. The college application process is not easy, and you should use every opportunity that comes your way.
To Sum Up
In conclusion, your online profile can be a very valuable tool for college admissions. You need to cultivate your online image, so it helps you in this process. On the other hand, it depends on the college as well. Your worldview might not align with the beliefs of college admission officers. For this reason, it’s better to be careful now than sorry later if something goes wrong.